2026 Summer Railroad Conference

July 19-21, 2026
Madden’s Resort – Brainerd, MN

The Midwest Short Line & Regional Railroads Summer Conference will be returning to Madden’s on Gull Lake in 2026. Get ready to join us for another fantastic event bringing together railroad professionals, industry partners, and regulators to discuss the current state and future of rail transportation in Minnesota.

The conference will again feature keynote speakers, panel discussions, and breakout sessions covering a wide range of topics. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with like-minded individuals, share their experiences and insights, and learn from industry experts.

We look forward to seeing you July 19-21!

Room Reservations

Reservations for lodging are now open. You can reserve your room online here or call Madden’s at 218-829-2811 for assistance. Please note: The list price for rooms is higher, but you won’t be paying more than last year’s rates. Due to a recent Minnesota law change, Madden’s can no longer charge a 20% service fee on lodging, so the updated pricing incorporates that fee. The conference room rate and meeting block will be guaranteed until Tuesday, May 19.

Agenda

We’re still in the process of putting together the excellent content for 2026 that you’ve come to expect. If you are interested in presenting, please reach out to MRRA Executive Director Amber Backhaus via email.

Here’s the 2025 agenda so you can get a sense of the conference format and quality of speakers we feature.